Home › Indiana › West Lafayette

West Lafayette, Indiana

Located in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, West Lafayette was established in 1836. Purdue University — one of the top engineering schools in the world. Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, was a Purdue alum.
Trending in West Lafayette
Latest updates coming soon
2 hours ago
More local news on the way
5 hours ago
Founded 1836 | Population 50,000 | Peak 50,000 (2024) | County Tippecanoe County

Top 10 Most Important Events for West Lafayette, Indiana

undefined
1836 Founded: West Lafayette was founded in Tippecanoe County.
undefined
1869 Purdue: Purdue University.
undefined
1886 Economic Development: West Lafayette grew through the automobile industry.
undefined
1890 Higher Education: Educational institutions helped define West Lafayette's character and economy.
undefined
2010 Modern Era: West Lafayette continued to develop as part of the greater metropolitan area, with new infrastructure and community amenities.
🧠
How Well Do You Know West Lafayette?
5 questions • 2 minutes
Take the Quiz →

Latest News in West Lafayette

Mar 19, 2026
Tragedy Strikes After Police Discover Toddler Dead In A Closet 
A tragic case of alleged neglect in Indiana has left a 2-year-old girl dead
May 19, 2016
She was Tears Indiana Woman Upset After Trooper Accuses her Doing Meth
Indiana, IN – On a routine traffic stop that turned into a nightmare, an Indiana woman found herself in tears after a state troo…
May 9, 2016
Thousands Indiana Residents Lose Food Stamp Benefits
Indiana – On May 9, 2016, a wave of frustration swept through the state as thousands of Hoosiers suddenly found themselves cut o…
Mar 5, 2016
Trump Blasts Free Trade During Indiana Rally Video
Indiana, March 5, 2016 — Donald Trump didn’t hold back during a packed rally here, where he took aim at free trade agreeme…
Jun 8, 2015
Indiana Food Stamp Enrollment Down After State Enacts Work Welfare
Indianapolis, Indiana – Back in early 2015, Indiana’s decision to tie welfare benefits to work requirements started showin…

Complete Historical Timeline

1836 Culture
Founded
1869 Culture
Purdue
1886 Industry
Economic Development
1890 Culture
Higher Education
2010 Culture
Modern Era

Did You Know?

1
Purdue University — one of the top engineering schools in the world.
2
Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, was a Purdue alum.
3
Classic college town across the Wabash from Lafayette.
4
West Lafayette is located in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
5
West Lafayette was founded in 1836.

Famous People from West Lafayette, Indiana

KB
Katie Bouman
Electrical Engineer, Computer Scientist · Born May 9, 1989 · Age 36
AJ
Anissa Jones
Actor · Born Mar 11, 1958 · Died Aug 28, 1976 (age 18)
AE
Amanda Elmore
Rower · Born Mar 13, 1991 · Age 34
MP
Marshall Plumlee
Basketball Player · Born Jul 13, 1992 · Age 33
BB
Brian Binnie
Military Officer, Test Pilot · Born Apr 26, 1953 · Died Sep 15, 2022 (age 69)

Other Cities in Indiana

View all Indiana cities →
I
Indianapolis
Pop. 887,642
FW
Fort Wayne
Pop. 277,607
E
Evansville
Pop. 118,352
SB
South Bend
Pop. 104,000
C
Carmel
Pop. 104,000
F
Fishers
Pop. 103,000
See something that needs correcting?
We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep West Lafayette's history right.